Sometimes an aggressive driver will try to get as close as possible to other vehicles to intimidate other drivers. You should also be aware that motorists generally feel more comfortable and relaxed around attentive drivers. 7. Avoid making any gestures that might anger another driver, even "harmless" expressions of irritation like shaking your head. The increasing number of vehicles our roads, day-to-day stresses, tiredness and the growing prevalence of disrespectful behavior have all created an environment in which aggressive driving is rife. Observing proper car horn etiquette is vital to safe driving. (undated) Road rage: How to avoid aggressive driving. According to research, aggressive driving is not the same as road rage, even though we tend to use the terms interchangeably. How to Recognise and Avoid Aggressive Driving - Ok Alone Never drive when under extreme stress; Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver; Pay attention to your driving; Move to another lane of travel; If you see an aggressive driver, stay away from them; Never use any type of hand gesture towards another driver; Typically, insurance only covers crashes caused by driver negligence. If you must drive slower than other traffic, keep to the right-hand lane or the far, right side of the roadway. Getting enough rest will help you stay calmer on the road when things aren't going your way. It is very easy to misinterpret someones intentions when you are angry even a friendly smile or wave can be taken the wrong way. Your car is no exception, in fact, it relies on the laws of physics to operate. Don't drive under distress: Avoid driving if you're angry, upset, or drowsy. Make sure that youre focused solely on the road in front of you to avoid conflict with the overly-aggressive driver. 5. As part of your drivers training, you must learn how different forces and natural laws affect your car, in order to maintain control and respond appropriately in emergency situations. If a driver continues to hassle you or you think you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station or busy place to get help. Do not wait at a red light if you need to turn right unless there are signs prohibiting right turns under a red light.Turning right through a red light is legal in most states and cities. When a drivers aggression develops into rage, there is very little you can do or say to calm them down. How can you avoid being the victim of an aggressive driver? Masks are still required during the in-vehicle portion of a road test. They're predisposed to making last-minute turns and lane changes, which means that turn signals are often an afterthought for them. 1) Stay Off the Horn While it might seem justified and necessary to honk the horn at a driver that has aggressively cut you off on the road, honking at the driver will only inflame tensions even more. Contact our skilled legal team todayby phone or using our quick and easy contact formto learn more about your options for recovery. Tailgating is when youre driving too closely behind another vehicle. Please help us improve your experience by taking this one minute survey. New York DMV | Chapter 8: Defensive Driving Even assertive drivers only use the horn when necessary.If you have a habit of laying on the horn in traffic or erratically honking out of frustration, youre exhibiting one of the most common signs of aggressive driving. How to handle hostile and confrontational people. We offer a number of great course optionsto help new drivers improve their skills and confidence behind the wheel. Anger management helps children and teens develop the ability to regulate their emotions effectively. }, Try to drive at less congested times or leave early enough to give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. avoid all contact and get away. That's why you need a lawyer who can review the details surrounding your crash and explore your legal options. Do not pass or change lanes across a solid yellow line. Frank had just experienced an instance of aggressive driving.. 1. The tailgater sped up and shouted an obscenity at Frank. If you are driving at the speed limit or as fast as you feel is safe based on current conditions, yet traffic is building up behind you, pull over or merge into a slower lane to let them pass. 4 Stages of Adult Development: Where Are You? If you collide with another vehicle and need to exchange insurance details, you will come face-to-face with the person you have wronged! Theres little you can do to help protect other drivers from an aggressive driver in another vehicle. 1. Equally, you must not interfere if you see a crash caused by an aggressive driver. The other driver looked angry, so Frank decided to change lanes. one way to avoid becoming drowsy on the road is to. Tailgating is when you're driving too closely behind another vehicle. Aggressive Driving. For younger and less experienced drivers, dealing with another drivers road rage can be exceptionally challenging. Do not attempt to intervene personally, if you believe an aggressive driver is about to cause a collision. One effective way to avoid aggressive driving is to not drive when youre upset. That's because insurance companies may argue that your crash was caused intentionally rather than by negligence, especially if road rage was involved. How to Deal With Aggressive Drivers | Progressive One way to avoid becoming an aggressive driver is to: - DMV Written Test Make a plan and give yourself enough time to get where you are going. Tailgating. PDF Aggressive Driving Fact Sheet - Texas Department of Insurance Dont take your problems and frustrations with you into the car. How to avoid becoming a victim Consider altering your schedule to avoid the worst congestion. Everything in the known universe is subject to natural forces like inertia, gravity, friction and energy. Is your impression correct? You must know how to deal with aggression on the road just in case you ever find yourself in hot water. Never behave in a manner that blocks, holds up or restricts the flow of traffic on a roadway. 5 Tips To Help You Become A Defensive Driver & Avoid Aggressive Drivers }, She loves cars and although she spends much of her week writing about them, she still finds the time to hop into the second-hand Corvette convertible her dad gave her for her 25th birthday and drive to the countryside with the top down. If someone tries to get into your car, attract attention by sounding your horn or a personal alarm. For instance, if you are feeling worked up: Even if you are in a hurry, it is important to make time for these calming exercises before driving. Failing to yield-the-right of way. Loosen your grip on the wheel, and take a deep breath. As part of your road safety training, you must learn how to avoid becoming the target of another drivers road rage. If you get behind the wheel while already suffering with stress caused by other events or pressures, you may become too stressed to pay attention, properly assess the roadway and make sensible driving decisions. You can avoid aggressive drivers and avoid becoming a contributor of road rage by driving defensively. Do not block traffic by stopping in the middle of a roadway to ask a pedestrian for directions, look at something by the roadside or try to figure out where you are. 5 - Plan An Escape Route. . You deliberately block lanes.Aggressive drivers tend to drive like they own the road and often exhibit selfish driving. Weaving in and out of traffic One of the best ways to avoid an aggressive driver is by ___________. You yell or use obscene gestures at other drivers.Have you ever yelled or used obscene gestures towards another driver out of anger, especially over minor driving mistakes and traffic incidents? You must pay attention and act defensively, to protect yourself against the threat such drivers pose. If you want to avoid this unnecessary risk, you must learn to keep track of your emotions and mental state while driving. "Road Rage" is a term that is believed to have originated in the United States. -DC DMV will no longer prevent DC residents from applying for a new or renewed drivers license because of failing to meet the requirements of the Clean Hands Law. Youre Mad as Hell, and Theyre Laughingat You! The increasing number of vehicles our roads, day-to-day stresses, tiredness and the growing prevalence of disrespectful behavior have all created an environment in which aggressive driving is rife. 30 Tips on Protecting Yourself Against Road Rage - AxleAddict Human emotions are powerful forces which can easily disrupt an ideal mental state if left unchecked. Think about itwhen youre running late, have you ever said to yourself, Get out of my way (directed to other drivers) or had disparaging thoughts about them because they werent moving fast enough? Instead of tailgating, honking, and flashing your lights at Tortoise Toby, whos driving way below the speed limit (which can be a hazard), accept that hes staying where he is and simply wait until its safe to go around him. Let idiots get as far away as possible. 4 ways to let go and reclaim your peace of mind. Even if another driver is to blame for the incident, yelling and cursing wont solve anything; itll only escalate the situation. This is definitely information you want to have locked away . Try to remain patient and avoid making noise with your horn as you travel. If you witness another motorist making a mistake, remember that they are likely to be embarrassed or frustrated with their own error. If you behave in a careless way, do not pay attention or are visibly distracted, the drivers around you will feel anxious and will be forced to be overly cautious in case you make a mistake. When you see an aggressive driver, make your avoidance plan. The force of gravity pulling your vehicle toward the center of the Earth will influence your speed when traveling on a hill. Its a hazardous form of aggressive driving because theres hardly any space between you and the car in front of you. Though we rarely stop to consider its effects, gravity is an ever-present force which acts on you, everything you can see in the room around you and of course, your vehicle. Giving way is one of the most basic courtesies you can afford other drivers sharing the road with you. Instead, you can make a positive gesture to handle road rage and avoid it to happen to others and you. Or maybe they're experiencing a stressful situation. (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 2016), Half of the drivers who are on the receiving end of aggressive behaviour, such as horn honking, a rude gesture, or tailgating admit to responding with aggressive behaviour themselves. How to Avoid Road Rage | Aceable Reprimanding another driver by shouting, gesturing or sounding your horn when they make a mistake will upset them and could start an argument. While feeling angryisn't inherently bad, angercanhave a negative impact on your marriage if it's not dealt with well.